Jake Hinton • September 30, 2023
Message from DAP: Borrego Health Integration
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Navigating the Future of Healthcare in Borrego Springs
Hello, Borrego Springs locals! We’ve got information to share with you about the integration of DAP Health with Borrego Health.
New Physicians and Specialties
First things first, let’s talk about the doctors. We know that having access to a variety of healthcare specialists is crucial for our community. According to DAP Health, there’s good news on the horizon. Over the next couple of years, they plan to hire a significant number of new providers.
- In 2024, they intend to bring on board 27 new healthcare providers.
- In 2025, an additional 20 providers will join the team.
These new providers will cover a wide range of specialties, including women’s health, pediatrics, primary care, mental health, and dentistry. This expansion aims to offer a broader range of services and increase access to specialized care for us, the residents of Borrego Springs.
Changes in Clinics and Health Care Facilities
Change can be unsettling, especially when it comes to our healthcare. But DAP Health wants us to know that this integration is all about enhancing the patient experience. Over the next 12 months, they are committed to improving patient care and services.
Some of the changes we can expect include:
- Extended clinic hours.
- Weekend visits.
- Improved emergency contact options.
- The addition of mental health support and other services consistent with DAP Health’s comprehensive offerings.
These changes are all designed to provide us with better access to care and a more well-rounded healthcare experience.
Improvements in Patient Care
We all want healthcare that is easy to access and tailored to our needs. DAP Health has plans to make our lives easier by implementing EPIC electronic health records (EHR). This system will bring several improvements, such as:
- Better scheduling options.
- Improved communication with our healthcare providers.
- Efficient lab result reviews.
- Integration with other healthcare systems.
- A unified patient record system.
- A user-friendly patient portal called MyChart.
This upgrade aims to streamline the patient experience, making it more convenient and efficient.
Community Engagement
DAP Health understands that improving health outcomes involves more than just medical care. It’s about engaging with our community, local organizations, government agencies, and businesses. They are actively meeting with leaders and organizations to address community needs and concerns. This shows their commitment to working with us to make our town healthier.
New Programs and Services
While specific details are still under wraps, DAP Health is actively exploring opportunities to introduce new programs and services that cater to the unique needs of Borrego Springs’ diverse population. This includes services like mammograms and screenings that can be conducted right here in town.
We’re eager to learn more about these offerings in the future!
Collaboration Benefits for Patients
The collaboration between DAP Health and Borrego Health promises several benefits for us, the patients. These include:
- Improved access to care at more sites.
- Access to additional specialists.
- A commitment to enhancing patient satisfaction and positive health outcomes.
In other words, it’s all about making sure we receive the best care possible.
Transition for Patients
Change can be daunting, especially when it comes to something as personal as healthcare. DAP Health wants to reassure us that they are taking steps to ensure a smooth and transparent transition for long-time patients.
Some important points to note:
- All Borrego Health employees have been offered employment at DAP Health, ensuring continuity of staff we are familiar with.
- Patients will retain their providers and care teams as they become patients of DAP Health.
- The Borrego Springs Pharmacy will continue to operate with maintained hours, preserving accessibility for patients.
These measures are in place to make sure our transition is as seamless as possible.
Contact for Questions and Concerns
(Read the direct response from DAP here.)
For any questions or concerns regarding the operations of the clinic, DAP Health has provided contact information for Nereida “Nedy” Terrazas at nterrazas@daphealth.org and COO Corina Velasquez at cvelasquez@daphealth.org. They are here to address inquiries and support the community, so don’t hesitate to reach out.
Healthcare Transformation: DAP Health and Borrego Health Integration Brings Brighter Future to Borrego Springs Residents
The integration of DAP Health with Borrego Health promises exciting changes and improvements to our healthcare system. As residents of Borrego Springs, we can look forward to enhanced access to care, a broader range of specialties, and a more patient-focused experience.
We appreciate DAP Health taking the time to provide us with these insights and hope that this information has been helpful. As always, we encourage you to share your thoughts and feedback. Let’s work together to make our community healthier and stronger!
>> DAP Health and Borrego Health Become One Integrated Health Care System
Email Communication From DAP
Thank you for your questions regarding DAP Health’s integration with Borrego Health. We appreciate your diligence in seeking information on how this partnership will impact the Borrego Springs Clinic, its patients, and its services. Below, please find responses to your questions. I’ve combined some information to better highlight our plans to improve the patient experience.
1) New Physicians and Specialties: We are excited to share that in the coming 24 months, we have significant plans to enhance our provider team throughout our entire system of clinics. In 2024, we intend to hire 27 new providers, and in 2025, an additional 20 providers will join our ranks. These new additions will cover various specialties, including women’s health, pediatrics, primary care, mental health, and dentistry. This expansion aims to offer a broader range of services and increase access to specialized care for our patients.
2) Changes in Clinics and Health Care Facilities: The integration of DAP Health and Borrego Health is driven by our commitment to delivering culturally competent care while addressing the unique needs of our diverse patient populations. Over the next 12 months, we are dedicated to improving patient care and services. This includes actively exploring opportunities to enhance services, such as extended hours, weekend visits, and improved emergency contacts. Furthermore, we plan to add mental health support and other services consistent with DAP Health’s comprehensive offerings.
3) Improvements in Patient Care: Our focus over the next year is to enhance the patient’s experience by addressing social determinants of health (SDOH) and offering comprehensive, accessible, and culturally sensitive care. We will implement EPIC electronic health records (EHR) to improve scheduling, communication with providers, lab result review, and more. This system will seamlessly integrate with other health care systems, provide unified patient records, offer robust data analytics tools, and facilitate patient engagement through the MyChart patient portal.
4) Community Engagement: We understand the importance of engaging with local community organizations, government agencies, and businesses to improve overall health outcomes for residents. We are actively meeting with leaders and organizations to address community needs and concerns.
5) New Programs and Services: We are actively exploring opportunities to introduce new programs and services that cater to the unique needs of Borrego Springs’ diverse population. While we cannot provide specific details at this moment, we share your enthusiasm for services such as mammograms and screenings that can be conducted locally.
6) Collaboration Benefits for Patients: The collaboration between DAP Health and Borrego Health will bring numerous benefits to patients, including improved access to care at more sites, and access to additional specialists. Our commitment is to enhance patient satisfaction and positive health outcomes.
7) Transition for Patients: Ensuring a smooth and transparent transition for longtime patients is a top priority. All Borrego Health employees have been offered employment at DAP Health, ensuring continuity of staff with whom patients are familiar. Patients will retain their providers and care teams as they become patients of DAP Health. Additionally, the Borrego Springs Pharmacy will continue to operate with maintained hours, preserving accessibility for patients.
8) Contact for Questions and Concerns: For any questions or concerns regarding the operations of the clinic, residents can contact Associate COO Nereida “Nedy” Terrazas at nterrazas@daphealth.org and/or COO Corina Velasquez at cvelasquez@daphealth.org. They are here to address inquiries and provide support to the community.
We hope this information addresses your questions. We remain committed to delivering exceptional care and service to the Borrego Springs community as part of our integrated health care system. Should you or community members require further information or clarification, please do not hesitate to reach out. We appreciate your continued interest in our efforts to improve health care in the region, and welcome feedback from your readers that will assist us in reaching this goal.
*QUICK TAKE* ABOUT DAP
DAP Health’s mission is to enhance and promote community health and well-being. Established in 1984 during the AIDS crisis, it initially focused on those affected by HIV/AIDS. Today, DAP Health is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) providing comprehensive healthcare services, including primary medical care, HIV and Hepatitis specialty care, dentistry, behavioral health, and social services.
The organization is rooted in volunteerism, with over 400 volunteers contributing around 60,000 hours annually. DAP Health serves low-income and medically underserved community members in the Coachella Valley, where HIV infection rates are significantly higher than the national average.
To address these disparities, DAP Health offers various services, implements electronic health records for better patient care, collaborates with the community, and explores new programs. Their goal is to provide holistic, accessible, and compassionate care despite the ongoing challenges of HIV.
DAP Health’s history reflects its commitment to addressing evolving healthcare needs in the region, from HIV testing to cancer care, food distribution, dental care, housing support, and more. Their recent expansion aims to further increase access to affordable healthcare for underserved populations.
Learn more: www.daphealth.org
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